David Price has teamed up with former undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis as he bids to get his career back on track following defeat to Tony Thompson.

Price, 29, was stunned by the veteran American in Liverpool in February, suffering his first professional defeat by way of a second-round knockout.

And he has sought the advice of Lewis who rebuilt his own career following defeats to first Oliver McCall and then Hasim Rahman.

Blow: David Price lost to Tony Thompson in February but has the chance for revenge in July

Price starts out on the road to redemption in Canada next week when he will train under the watchful eye of Lewis ahead of his rematch with Thompson at the Liverpool Echo Arena on July 6.

'This is a fantastic opportunity to be able to work with one of the
greatest heavyweights of all time and I'm sure his knowledge will prove
to be invaluable,' Price said.

Comeback: Lennox Lewis was knocked out by Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman but avenged both losses

Lewis has been retired for almost 10 years, bowing out on a high with victory over Vitali Klitschko.

He avenged both defeats on his record and was also successful against the likes of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

'David is a dedicated fighter,; he said. 'He takes his training seriously and is single minded in wanting to avenge that defeat and as a fighter I understand that and want to help him towards his goal.'

Main man: Lewis was the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, winning 41 of his 44 contests

Scrooge! Redknapp rules out Christmas party… but says QPR can celebrate when they stay up

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UPDATED:

12:30 GMT, 7 December 2012

Harry Redknapp has banned Christmas at QPR because the club have ‘got nothing to celebrate’.

Rangers are still searching for their first Premier League win of the season and their manager wants to put off partying until the club has secured its top-flight status.

The boss said: 'I'm not mad about footballers having Christmas. I’ve been doing this job an awful long time and find it seems to be nothing but aggravation.

Earn your party: Harry Redknapp has told his QPR players they have nothing to celebrate this Christmas, but that they can party if and when they stay up

'I feel in our position we're in we've really got nothing to celebrate. If we get out of trouble we’ll have a big party at the end of the year, I’m sure. I just think this is the busiest time of the year.

'I haven’t discussed it with the players. Nobody’s come to see me and asked to have a Christmas party. If they did I’d say: “I'd rather you didn't.” We're not in a position where we've got anything to celebrate.'

Meanwhile, Redknapp confirmed Tal Ben Haim is having a trial with QPR.

Ben Haim, 30, has been without a club since leaving Portsmouth in August and has been training in west London under the watchful eye of QPR staff this week.

Redknapp told a press conference this morning: 'I am having a look at him, he’s a good defender, he’s a good lad and has a great attitude.

'He looks very fit and I have let him come in and train, we will just see where we go in the next couple of weeks.'

Ben Haim, who has also had spells at Bolton, Chelsea and Manchester City, has not played since Israel’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying defeat against Russia in September.

The new manager is looking to strengthen his squad next month after taking over a club rooted to the bottom of the Barclays Premier League without a win in their first 15 matches.

Redknapp has secured draws against Sunderland and Aston Villa since replacing Mark Hughes and his team face fellow strugglers Wigan at the DW Stadium tomorrow.

Finland are planning make-or-break talks with Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson over his international future.

The Gunners right-back has earned rave
reviews for a string of impressive displays this season as he deputises for the injured Bacary Sagna.

Impressive: Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson (right)

And the Finnish Football Association want to hold discussions with the 20-year-old as they look to keep him from England's clutches.

Jenkinson has represented the Finns at Under-19 and U21 level, however, the former Charlton man has also represented England at U17 level.

Finland have already made initial contact with Jenkinson over his future and there is now set to be a tug-of-war for the defender's allegiance.

England coaches have kept a watchful eye on Jenkinson's progress, having earmarked the youngster as a potential future senior international.

His club manager, Arsene Wenger, said last week: 'I believe Jenkinson will have an impact here and you [England] will fight for him not to play with Finland.'

England manager Roy Hodgson faces a right-back crisis ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland later this month with Glen Johnson facing a one game suspension and Martin Kelly and Micah Richards both injured, a problem which could open the door to Jenkinson.

Meanwhile, Finland face Georgia next Friday and should Jenkinson feature for either nation during the forthcoming round of international fixtures then the Gunners defender would not be permitted to make a U-turn given the World Cup qualifiers are classed as competitive fixtures under FIFA rules.

Twinkle toes! Sagna, Podolski and Mertesacker get on their dancing shoes in Nigeria

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UPDATED:

08:51 GMT, 30 July 2012

Pre-season is all about getting into shape in time for the new campaign. Sessions in the gym, light ball work, a couple of low intensity friendlies… dancing.

Away from the watchful eye of manager Arsene Wenger, some of Arsenal's first-team stars are enjoying a far less gruelling preparation than their friends in the Far East.

Best foot forward: Bacary Sagna, Per Mertesacker and Lukas Podolski have shown off their skills

Summer signing Lukas Podolski has joined international team-mate Per Mertesacker, as well as Bacary Sagna, in a relationship-building trip to Nigeria. The new boy probably hopes all training sessions are as fun as this!

The players are in the capital city Lagos, honouring a commitment the club made despite a proposed fixture having to be canned over logistical concerns.

As well as meeting fans, Sagna, Podolski and Mertesacker took part in the 'Malta Guinness Low Sugar Workout' at Eko Hotel, strutting their stuff much to the amusement of those watching. Even the 6'7'' German defender showed he had great feet for a big man.

Making a point: Arsenal sent the first-team stars to Nigeria on a relationship-building trip

While the toe-tapping trio threw some shapes, the rest of the Arsenal squad were preparing to make their way back to London following an indifferent run of results in Malaysia, China and Hong Kong.

The Gunners have just one more friendly in the diary – against Cologne next week – before the season starts against Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on August 18.

Meanwhile, in the Far East: The rest of the squad have been in China, Malaysia and Hong Kong

Murray returns to Wimbledon for final preparations as Federer showdown looms

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UPDATED:

13:55 GMT, 7 July 2012

Andy Murray was back at Wimbledon this afternoon, honing the skills that made him the first British man to appear in the men's final since Henry 'Bunny' Austin in 1938.

Under the watchful eye of coach Ivan Lendl, Murray appeared relaxed as he signed tennis paraphernalia for fans before starting the hard work on court.

And while the 25-year-old has British sporting history in his sights, he knows Swiss master Roger Federer is plotting to spoil the party.

The Scot gives short shrift to suggestions he will be facing Federer at anything other than the Swiss player's imperious best in the Wimbledon men's final, and believes he needs to find the 'perfect' performance.

The final countdown: Andy Murray and coach Ivan Lendl train at Aorangi Park

Federer, who is looking to equal Pete Sampras' record of seven Wimbledon titles, turns 31 next month and has not won a grand slam title since beating Murray to win the Australian Open two-and-a-half years ago.

But, while Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have dominated the major finals, Federer has not been far behind and, after beating Djokovic in the semi-finals, he can reclaim the world No 1 ranking with victory.

Murray said: 'Over the last couple of years his record in the slams has been unbelievable. The matches that he lost here, he was up two sets to love against (Jo-Wilfried) Tsonga last year.

'He's lost some close matches in the slams the last few years, but he had match points against Novak at the US Open two years in a row.

Fit as a fiddle: Murray looked lithe and sprightly as he prepared for Roger Federer

'If you look at the way he played (against Djokovic), you can't say he's past it or because he's 30 he's playing worse tennis. I just think the players around him have got better.'

Murray reached his first Wimbledon final and fourth Grand Slam decider with a 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory over Tsonga to break a 74-year British hoodoo in the men's singles.

Eleven times a home player had reached the semi-finals since Bunny Austin made the final in 1938, including Murray the last three years, but all had fallen at the final hurdle.

With that sequence ended, now Murray can become the first British men's singles champion since Fred Perry in 1936.

Watchful eye: Murray puts in the hard yards in preparation for his fourth Grand Slam final

The Scot has come through a tough draw to reach the final and, although the whole country will be focused on Centre Court, Murray's main motivation comes from within.

He said: 'Almost every time you step on the court you're trying to prove something to yourself. I think that's what motivates you to get better. Also the players that are around me, as well.

'I think you can't stay at the top of any sport, especially one as competitive as tennis, if you don't have very good self motivation. I think that's very important.'

It will be the third time Murray and Federer have met in the finals of grand slams, with the Swiss triumphing at the US Open in 2008 and in Melbourne in 2010, both times in straight sets.

At full stretch: Murray warms up, knowing the biggest match of his life is only a day away

Murray tries not to look back, and he said: 'My coaches will watch his matches this week and some stuff from when I have played him before. I try not to watch before I play against him. I've seen some of his matches this week.

'I've learned from those matches that I lost against him in the past. But if you go too much into detail of things that happened in the past, it's not always beneficial, because in tennis every day is different. So I just need to try to make sure I play a perfect match on Sunday.'

Murray has also taken encouragement from some of Federer's recent grand slam losses, including the quarter-final defeat by Tsonga here last year.

That was the first time Federer had ever lost from two sets ahead at a grand slam, and he then did the same at the US Open against Djokovic in the semi-finals, letting two match points slip away.

Making their day: Murray braves the elements to sign autographs for fans

Murray said: 'Roger has lost a couple matches from a couple of sets up in the last few years. So, whereas in the past you might have thought going two sets down it was impossible, there's still time to come back.

'But ideally you want to try to get off to a good start. That would make a big difference, I'm sure.'

Murray has spent 16 hours and 45 minutes on court in reaching the final, four hours and 36 minutes more than Federer, and Tsonga feels that may impact on the Scot's chances.

The Frenchman said: 'It's going to be tough for Andy because he need to recover from the quarter-final (against David Ferrer) and this match against me.

Spot the winner: Tsonga is all smiles as Murray is overcome

'He looked pretty tired at the end, so I don't know how he will be physically. But I hope for him he will recover and have a chance against Roger.'

Murray is one of the hardest workers in the game, though, and he insists tiredness will not be a problem.

The world number four said: 'I felt fine (against Tsonga). I felt less tired than I did in the match with Ferrer because there weren't as many long rallies.

'It wasn't that tough physically. It was more mental. That was the hard part.'

Our man Matt is searching for the hole truth as Sportsmail tees off with Three Lions

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UPDATED:

22:25 GMT, 30 May 2012

Steven Gerrard strikes a golf ball much like he does a football. Hard and straight.

Gary Cahill can smash a ball miles, far too far for someone who claims to play off 24, but has the kind of short game you might associate with a defender. His finishing isn't great, particularly with a putter.

In fairness to Cahill, he doesn't play too often. If he did, he could be pretty damn good. Both of them could. Typical professional sportsmen.

In the swing of things: Sportsmail's Matt Lawton enjoys a round of golf with Steven Gerrard and Gary Cahill

Fairway to heaven: Our Matt tees off under the watchful eyes of Gerrard, Gabby Logan and Cahill

With the BBC's Gabby Logan also showing why she once competed as an international athlete, we were going well in the team event at the England media golf day at The Grove, in Hertfordshire.

We were lying third at the turn. We seemed to be in better shape than Roy Hodgson, who lost a ball but will hope he doesn't lose any more players.

All smiles: Matt's team were lying third at the turn

Bad day at the office: England manager Roy Hodgson was in a hole world of bother

But then Gerrard left his team-mates crushed by saying that he and Cahill would not be continuing. Something about not wanting to get injured.

'Euro 2012 is more important,' said England's captain with a wry smile. Maybe for you Stevie. Maybe for you.

The Black Eyed Peas star was cheered on by thousands of people as he ran through Taunton carrying the flame.

The United States-born music producer was a surprise addition to the line-up on day three of the relay.

Where is the love: Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am carried the Olympic torch through Taunton

Will.i.am, 37, looked at ease in the warm weather as he jogged through the Somerset town centre.

The Metropolitan Police Torch Security Team, which runs alongside the torchbearer, kept a watchful eye on the cheering crowd.

The music producer's torch was 'kissed' by that held by 26-year-old taekwondo instructor Chloe Lock, from Honiton, Devon, to light the flame.

Popular man: The crowds flock to see Will.i.am

Before he started running he was passed his mobile phone and was tweeting as he set off down the road under Union Flag bunting and surrounded by screaming fans.

He held his phone in the air indicating to people to follow him on the social networking site.

After a couple minutes he waved to the crowd while smiling broadly.

Crowd pleaser: Will.i.am carries the torch to the cheers of the watching crowd

Multitasking: Will.i.am looks at his phone while carrying the torch

He also turned around to perform a short moonwalk to the delight of onlookers.

Thousands turned out to watch the torch travel through the town unaware of the surprise appearance.

They waved colourful flags and children held homemade torches made from bright yellow and red paper.

Will.i.am's turn in the relay was over in under five minutes when he passed the flame to the next runner, biathlete Emma Fowler.

Speaking after his run, the music star said: 'That was like a surreal moment.

'I remember in 1984 the Olympics in Los Angeles, me being a little Will watching it on TV wishing I could be at the Olympic Games.

'I had that flashback when they handed me the torch to run in Taunton.

'It's like a blast moment and a surreal moment and a can't believe it moment all at the same time.

'I got a little more nervous this time than all the things I have done.

'I am not holding a flame when I am performing in front of people and the last thing you want to do is make a mistake with fire in your hands.'

Will.i.am said: 'I'm a huge Olympics fan. I want to see the swimming match, I want to see Usain Bolt.

'I want to see if he's really that fast because I want to race him one day. I wouldn't win but I want to see how close I would come.'

The star said he was amazed at the number of people who had turned the relay through Taunton into a real family occasion.

On the run: Will.i.am jogs through the streets of Taunton

Job done: Will.i.am passes the Olympic flame to Emma Fowler on the relay leg through Taunton

'I just saw everyone coming out, excited that the running of the torch was here in their neighbourhood, in their city and pride for the city,' he said.

'To see families and little kids and their parents and everyone just having a good time – I am so glad I came here. It's great people, great energy, a great vibe.

'There's one area, it's like a village of houses and it looked like the neighbourhood I came from in Boyle Heights, where the neighbours looked after the neighbours, and it looked like a real community and that reminded me of the community I come from.'

He confessed he had never been to a cricket ground before and added: 'But I reckon I would be pretty good.'

There were no mishaps for Will.i.am, real name William Adams, unlike earlier when the torch went out for the first time during the 2012 relay and had to be relit.

Andre Villas-Boas is fighting to convince Roman Abramovich he is still the man for the Chelsea job after an amazing showdown on Saturday.

Sportsmail can reveal that Villas-Boas was locked in talks with Abramovich at Chelsea's training ground on Saturday.

Abramovich turned up without any warning to watch them train before Sunday's 3-3 draw with Manchester United, when Villas-Boas's side threw away a 3-0 lead.

The Russian billionaire, flanked by key adviser Eugene Shvidler and fellow Chelsea director Eugene Tenenbaum, arrived at the training ground in Cobham before the start of training and the players were stunned when Abramovich walked out to watch Villas-Boas's session.

He saw 35 minutes of training before spending another half an hour with Villas-Boas demanding to know tactics for the game against United.

After watching Chelsea draw he went into the dressing room and spent about half an hour talking to the players.

The club's billionaire backer has become increasingly frustrated with the team's lack of progress this season and was determined to see at first hand the work of his young Portuguese manager.

Villas-Boas has been struggling to command the respect of the players in his first season at the club.

The squad were given no notice that Abramovich, who has not been seen at the training ground for months, would arrive to watch them prepare for the United game.

Abramovich spent four hours assessing the mood at the club. He rarely visits the site he bought to create the perfect environment for Chelsea's expensively assembled team.

Blown it: Chelsea threw away a three-goal led to draw with United

Abramovich did attend the training ground before becoming involved in a high-profile court case with former associate Boris Berezovsky.

According to club sources he was pre-occupied with the case but has turned his attention to Chelsea while awaiting the court judgement.

Villas-Boas has always maintained that he has the full support of Abramovich but he has been left in no doubt about the demands of being Chelsea manager.

Making a point: Villas-Boas (right) must convince Abramovich of his worth

Some players believe dressing-room morale has been fractured beyond repair under Villas-Boas. That is a theory Abramovich put to the test on Saturday and Villas-Boas is understood to have been left shaken by the visit.

Carlo Ancelotti operated under similar circumstances when he was Chelsea manager and told friends life became 'intolerable' because of the pressure on him from above.

Andy Murray goes into Saturday morning's trial by serve-and-volley against Frenchman Michael Llodra with some of the sport's most respected observers suggesting Ivan Lendl is already proving a positive influence upon him.

The British No 1 is attempting to reach the last 16 and launch an assault on the second week with the likes of Chris Evert pointing to the 'intimidating' presence of the 51-year-old Czech as a force for good.

On the ball: Murray is gunning to win his first grand slam in Australia

'I was always afraid of Ivan Lendl, a lot of players were afraid of him, he is pretty intimidating,' said the American great, who is here commentating for ESPN.

'I think it will be good for Andy. He's a bit on the meek side and this will give him a bit of backing.'

Watchful eye: Lendl appears to be having a positive influence on Murray

Neither does she think Lendl will stand for any choice language directed by Murray at his watching support team if he gets frustrated, saying: 'That's not going to happen with Lendl. He will get up and walk out, he won't put up with it.'

Sportsmail columnist Brad Gilbert, a former coach of Murray, said: 'Lendl will be looking to make him more offensive from the centre of the court and will work on his second serve.

'I've liked what I have seen so far. He is hitting his forehand more side-on and turning his shoulders and ripping through it. He is hitting it flatter. I reckon Lendl has told him that is the shot that can take him to the next level.'

Murray has found himself as the last British player in the singles draw as usual, although the Anglo-Scottish doubles pair of Ross Hutchins and Colin Fleming are into the last 16 and will face America's formidable Bryan brothers.

Going through: Nadal won in straight sets to book his place in the fourth round

The duo seem assured of making Britain's Davis Cup team for Glasgow next month, where they will tackle Slovakia – whose best player Lukas Lacko was beaten 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 yesterday by Rafael Nadal.

Nadal remains on course for what would be a highly unusual semi-final against Roger Federer because, amazingly, they have not been in the same half of a Grand Slam draw since 2005.

The pair have called a truce after Nadal accused Federer prior to this tournament of looking after his own needs too much.

Roger that: Federer is on course to meet Nadal in the last four of the Aussie Open

Nadal also wants to switch to a ranking system based on two years of performances, similar to golf, to protect higher-ranked performers, but the Swiss reckons that will be unfair on emerging talents.

None of this will have been on Federer's mind as he defused the enormous serve of 6ft 10in Croat Ivo Karlovic with a 7-6, 7-5, 6-3 win on Friday.

Federer now faces an intriguing fourth-round tie against 19-year-old Australian Bernard Tomic, who has shown his Wimbledon quarter-final appearance last year was no fluke with a five-set win over 13th seed Alexander Dolgopolov.